GARY Neville is confident that England are better equipped to mount a stronger challenge for glory if they qualify for the 2002 World Cup finals than four years ago in France.

England went out in the second phase in 1998 on that emotional and drama-filled night in St Etienne when they lost on penalties to Argentina after David Beckham had been sent off.

At the time the then-England skipper Alan Shearer claimed that the winners of that encounter were good enough to go on and win the competition.

But Neville believes that Sven-Goran Eriksson's current squad have even greater cause for optimism in Japan and South Korea - assuming England defeat Greece next month to clinch their spot in the finals.

The Manchester United defender, who is in some of the best form of his international career, feels the youth factor plus the sheer ability means England have a genuine chance of making an impact.

Neville told PA Sport: "I played in the last World Cup and, although it was a great experience, it was also disappointing and we want to go to Japan and South Korea and do a lot better.

"I don't want to go over the top but things are looking good. Things are looking a lot better than even a year ago.

"If we get to the World Cup I think the confidence is such in the squad at the moment that we can do a heck of a lot better than in France.

"In France a few things went against us, and you could have another game like Argentina where the same thing happens again and you go out.

"But the confidence and belief is as high as it has ever been. It was high going into France 1998 but I do feel we are in a much better position now to make an impact.

"By that I mean in terms of the youth in the squad and the ability. There is a lot of pace in the team, a lot of quality in terms of the passing from midfield.

"Paul Scholes, for example, has the sort of ball that set up the first goal for Michael Owen against Albania in his armoury - and the finishing of the forwards is fantastic. Michael Owen is on fire at the moment."

Neville feels England deserve credit for the way they disposed of Albania and is adamant there will be no complacency when Greece visit Old Trafford on October 6.

He said: "The result we had against Albania was the best by any team in the group who have played them at home. Germany won 2-1 with a last minute goal, Finland by the same scoreline and Greece 1-0.

"They showed they are no mugs and we'd have taken 2-0 before kick off. After the win in Germany and the euphoria surrounding the game it was always going to be difficult.

"We looked pretty good in the first half and if we had taken a couple of our chances I think we would have played a lot better than we did in the second 45 minutes.

"But we did the job and now the game at Old Trafford is massive for us. It will be great for me to play there in front of 70,000, especially after missing out on the last international there against South Africa in 1997.

"It sounds perfect, at Old Trafford, 70,000 people and the chance to qualify for the World Cup finals but we still have to perform and the talking will have to stop when we get to kick-off time.

"If we get to the finals after the position we were in the group at one stage it will be a great achievement.

"There is a massive prize at stake and I'll be very surprised if we are not really up for that game, and the same with the crowd because of what a victory will mean to England."